Sports World, January 14, 2024: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty Runners-Up At Malaysia Open; India Beat Afghanistan In Second T20I - As It Happened

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty started the day by securing the second spot in the Malaysia Open 2024. Elsewhere, the Australian Open main draw commenced after a long wait, joining the other mega-events, such as the AFC Asian Cup, the Africa Cup of Nations, the FIH Women's Olympic Qualifiers and the Dakar Rally, that are already underway. In the evening, the Indian national cricket team beat Afghanistan in the second of three T20 internationals in Indore and claimed a series victory. Meanwhile, the build-up to January's big events continued, including the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup, England's Tour of India, FIH 5s World Cup and much, much more. Here are the highlights from the sports world on January 14, 2024. (Cricket News | Football News)

12:00 am: What Lies Ahead? 

As the week comes to a close, we look at all the action that is to come next. From the Australian Open to the Dakar Rally, the world of sports is brimming with exciting events that will commence, continue, or conclude between January 15 and 21, 2024. 

Read all about the week ahead here. 

10:30pm: India Beat Afghanistan In 2nd T20I, Win Series

60+ scores by Yashasvi Jasiwal and Shivam Dube powered India past Afghanistan in Indore in the second of three T20Is the two are contesting. Batting first, Afghanistan set their highest T20I score against India, courtesy of Gulbadin Naib's half-ton. But, India raced out of the blocks on their turn and, despite losing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli early, emerged victors with almost five overs to spare. 

Consequently, India won the series. 

9:15pm: Rohit Sharma Makes History 

The Indian captain became the first player in men's cricket to reach 150 T20 International games in India's Indore bout with Afghanistan. Sharma is currently leading India in a three-game T20 series at home, which will be their last bilateral series of this format before the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2024. 

Read more here. 

8:15pm: Japan Survive Vietnam Scare In Asian Cup 

Favourites to win the AFC Asian Cup 2023, Japan came from behind to beat Vietnam 4-2 in their opening game. The Blue Samurai led early through Takumi Minamino, but Nguyen Dinh Bac and Pham Tuan Hai had turned things around by the 33rd minute. In another dramatic turn, though, Japan score twice between then and the interval, taking a slender lead with them into the second half. Vietnam's onslaught fell flat after the break and Japan scored again late on to seal the win. 

7:00pm: India Bowl First Against Afghanistan 

India have won the toss and decided to bowl first in their second T20 against Afghanistan. The exact decision had proven to be a triumphant one in their first meeting in Mohali, which India had won by six wickets, courtesy of Shivam Dube's stellar display. Should INdia win the match in Indore, today, they will claim a series win. 

Follow it live here. 

6:00pm: Prizmic Takes Djokovic Down To The Wire 

18-year-old Dino Prizmic gave Novak Djokovic a "run for his money" in the words of the world number one himself, after he beat the youngster in his first match in the Australian Open 2024. The Serbian beat his opponent in a four-hour-long four-setter, but had to work extremely hard to secure the victory, especially in the fourth set when Prizmic saved five match points. Djokovic won 6-2, 6(5)-7(7), 6-3, 6-4. 

4:32pm: Sat-Chi Go Down Fighting

They looked primed for glory. Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy were playing superb, attacking badminton and had their noses ahead for the majority of the match, but eventually succumbed to the world champions. The top-ranked Chinese duo of Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang beat Satwik and Chirag 21-9, 18-21, 17-21 in a blockbuster final to be crowned champions at the Malaysia Open BWF Super 1000 tournament in Kuala Lumpur. Read our match report here.

3:58pm: NZ Beat PAK, Clinch Series

New Zealand have beaten Pakistan by 21 runs in the second T20I, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The BlackCaps made 194 for eight batting first, and then bowled Pakistan out for 173 in the 20th over.

3:06pm: It's Sat-Chi Time!

India's Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are now on court for their Malaysia Open final encounter against the world number one pairing of Wei Keng-Wang Chang from China. A victory would give the Indian pair a historic triumph at the tournament, where no Indian had even reached the final before them.

2:01pm: PAK Vs NZ, 2nd T20I 

After racking up a record-breaking total of 226 in the first T20I against Pakistan, New Zealand mounted another tall target in front of the Men In Green during the second T20I in Hamilton. Asked to bat first by the visiting side's skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi, the Kiwis posted a total of 194/8 in their stipulated 20 overs. Pakistan have lost two early wickets but scored 35 runs off their first four overs in response. You can track the scores, or watch the match live. 

1:02pm: Australian Open Update

The highlight of Day 1 of the Australian Open so far is fourth seed Janik Sinner's first-round win over No. 59-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp. Sinner needed 2 1/2 hours to win 6-4, 7-5, 6-3, his first victory since a memorable November when he twice beat Novak Djokovic and won the Davis Cup.

11:37am: NBA Update

Lauri Markkanen had 29 points, nine rebounds and five assists to lead the Utah Jazz to a 132-123 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in their NBA 2023-24 clash, reports Associated Press. Collin Sexton scored 27 points and Jordan Clarkson added 21 to help the Jazz win their eighth straight game at home and fifth straight game overall. John Collins and Keyonte George chipped in 19 points apiece. Collins also grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds. With LeBron James out with a left ankle injury, Anthony Davis had a triple-double but the Jazz turned around the game after the first quarter. Utah dominated in transition, scoring 27 fast-break points and 23 points off turnovers.

11:01am: Bharat To Keep Wickets Against ENG - Report

Contrary to what was being assumed, KL Rahul will perhaps not be the first-choice wicket-keeper for the Test series against England. Specialist keeper KS Bharat will don the gloves instead, according to an Indian Express report. Read all about it here. 

10:13am: La Liga - Athletic Bilbao Pip Real Sociedad

Athletic Bilbao forward Alex Berenguer scored twice in a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad, which lifted the hosts into third place in the Spanish league La Liga's 2023-24 edition. With their victory in the Basque Country derby, Athletic edged ahead of both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, reports Associated Press. The team are on course to fight for a Champions League berth with Spain to send four, or possibly five, teams to Europe's elite competition next season.

9:15am: Serie A Update

Defending Serie A champions Napoli scored in stoppage time for a 2-1 win over Salernitana in a regional derby to end a four-match winless streak. Elsewhere, Inter Milan thrashed Monza 5-1 and Genoa and Torino drew 0-0.

8:42am: AFCON Kicks Off

Seko Fofana needed only four minutes to score the first goal of the Africa Cup of Nations as host country Ivory Coast started with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in the tournament opener, reports Associated Press. Jean-Philippe Krasso wrapped up the win in the second half after going close in the first.